The best 15 Korean Sunscreens in 2024

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The scorching summer heat has you wanting to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but are you struggling to choose the right sunscreen? Don’t worry, this article will introduce the Top 15 best Korean sunscreens of 2024, helping you choose the perfect product for your needs!

Outstanding Advantages of Korean Sunscreens

Korean skincare products are always trusted for their noticeable quality, and sunscreen is no exception.

  • Often less sticky and doesn’t leave a patchy white cast on the skin.
  • Provides a subtle brightening effect suitable for Asian skin tones.
  • Offers protection beyond sun protection, including moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.
  • Korea is considered a cosmetics powerhouse with advanced technology, making its products highly sought after.
  • Korean sunscreens often use the PA (Protection Grade of UVA) rating, indicating the level of protection against UVA rays, as well as SPF, which indicates protection against UVB rays.

Choosing Korean Sunscreen by Skin Type

Korean Sunscreen for Normal Skin

Normal skin is considered the “easiest” skin type, therefore it’s compatible with most Korean sunscreens and can tolerate both physical and chemical sunscreens. You can choose any Korean sunscreen product that fits your budget and purpose, such as brightening or using it as a makeup primer.

Korean Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive, easily irritated skin, prioritize Korean physical sunscreens containing active ingredients like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. Pay special attention to products with gentle ingredients and free of oxybenzone and PABA.

Korean Sunscreen for Dry Skin

Prioritize Korean sunscreens containing moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness and roughness caused by prolonged sun exposure.

Korean Sunscreen for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

If you have oily skin, choose sunscreens labeled “No Sebum” or “Oil Free” on the packaging. Consider water-based, spray, or gel sunscreens to avoid stickiness. If your oily skin isn’t prone to acne or excessive sensitivity, chemical sunscreens with their lightweight texture, oil control capabilities, and easy absorption are an excellent choice.

Korean Sunscreen for Combination Skin

Combination skin is divided into two types: oily combination and dry combination. Each type suits different sunscreens:

  • Oily Combination Skin: Prone to clogged pores and excess oil in the T-zone, often leading to breakouts. Prioritize lightweight sunscreens with good oil control for a smooth complexion.
  • Dry Combination Skin: Has less oil and fewer breakouts but can experience dryness, roughness, or flakiness. Sunscreens with moisturizing ingredients like cucumber, barley, or sunflower are excellent choices for this skin type.

Top 15 Effective Korean Sunscreens for Skin Protection

1. The Saem Eco Earth Power Pink Sun Cream

The SAEM is a Korean cosmetics brand gaining popularity recently. Their products are known for their natural ingredients, gentleness on the skin, and eco-friendliness.

Key Features:

  • Subtle brightening effect, leaving skin looking brighter and more radiant.
  • Soothes skin with pink calamine powder and extracts of centella asiatica and houttuynia cordata.
  • Herbal ingredients protect skin from environmental damage, maintaining healthy, clean skin.
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The Saem Eco Earth Power Pink Sun Cream

The Saem Eco Earth Power Pink Sun Cream

2. Innisfree Triple Care

Innisfree is an extremely popular Korean cosmetics brand. The brand offers affordable products with exceptional quality. Innisfree belongs to the leading beauty corporation AmorePacific (founded in 2002). With super clean ingredients from Jeju Island, Innisfree has created a natural, gentle, and safe brand for consumers.

Key Features:

  • High coverage and natural brightening effect, can be used as a makeup primer.
  • Made with natural ingredients that nourish and protect the skin from harmful factors that cause aging.
  • Long-lasting with “super” water resistance for long-term sun protection.
Innisfree Triple Care

Innisfree Triple Care

3. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream

Skin1004 is a popular affordable Korean domestic cosmetics brand. While not as well-known as other big names, Skin1004 still has several best-selling products. The brand’s products are made with natural ingredients, making them gentle and safe for all skin types.

Key Features:

  • Skin1004 sunscreen moisturizes and keeps skin soft for 24 hours of outdoor activity.
  • Waterproof and sweat-resistant.
  • Non-sticky, non-greasy, and non-sticky for a comfortable feeling.
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream

4. Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk

Missha is a Korean cosmetics brand under Able C&C Company, established in 2000. Their philosophy is to help everyone believe they have the right to be beautiful and carry their own unique beauty. The brand’s product lines, from affordable to high-end, aim to give you healthy, glowing skin.

Key Features:

  • Uses Double-Layer technology for stronger protection against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Lightly moisturizes for a dewy, smooth finish.
  • Provides a natural, light pinkish-white brightening effect.
  • Suitable for all skin types.
Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk

Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk

5. Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen 100

Cell Fusion C is a renowned Korean cosmeceutical brand created by CMS Lab, a cosmeceutical research institute. With advanced technology and meticulous research into the ingredients in each product, Cell Fusion C’s product lines have been highly regarded and preferred by dermatologists for over 15 years.

Key Features:

  • Hydrates and moisturizes skin throughout the day.
  • Soothes skin and reduces irritation, making it suitable for sensitive, weak, and vulnerable skin.
  • Strengthens the skin’s protective barrier for firmer skin.
Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen 100

Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen 100

6. 9 Wishes Sun Moisturizer

9 Wishes is a cosmetics brand researched and manufactured in Korea since 2016. It focuses on using all-natural ingredients, cruelty-free practices, and ensuring 100% safety for consumers.

Key Features:

  • 9 Wishes sunscreen uses natural ingredients, reducing irritation and making it suitable for all skin types.
  • Rice extract moisturizes and restores damaged skin from within.
  • Stimulates ceramide production to create a moisture-retaining barrier on the skin throughout the day.
  • Provides a natural brightening effect and can be used as a makeup primer.
9 Wishes Sunscreen

9 Wishes Sunscreen

7. NACIFIC Fresh Herb Origin Sun Block Calendula

Nacific sunscreen belongs to the cosmetics brand of Abill Korea Co., Ltd., established in 2014. The brand manufactures and distributes various product lines, but mainly focuses on developing skincare products.

Key Features:

  • Prevents premature skin aging and the formation of brown spots.
  • Keeps skin moisturized and smooth.
  • Can be used as a perfect base for makeup, creating a dewy, smooth finish.
Nacific Sunscreen

Nacific Sunscreen

8. Some By Mi Truecica Mineral Calming Tone-up Suncream

Some By Mi is a relatively new brand (3-4 years), but has established a solid position in the Korean cosmetics market. Notably, the brand commits to using ingredients that are not harmful to the skin, skin-friendly, and non-irritating, belonging to EWG’s Green Class.

Key Features:

  • Contains SOME BY MI’s signature Truecica™ ingredient and aloe vera leaf extract to soothe skin.
  • Contains 90,000ppm zinc oxide, resveratrol, and pear flower extract to brighten and even out skin tone.
  • Free of artificial fragrances, colorants, and 20 harmful ingredients.
Some By Mi Truecica Mineral Calming Tone-up Suncream

Some By Mi Truecica Mineral Calming Tone-up Suncream

Innisfree Intensive Long-lasting Sunscreen

Innisfree, a brand under the AmorePacific cosmetics group of Korea, specializes in producing and supplying natural skincare products for both men and women, including shower gels, sunscreens, body lotions, makeup, etc.

Key Features:

  • Excellent water and sweat resistance, suitable for activities with heavy perspiration.
  • Provides decent oil control while remaining lightweight on the skin.
  • Thick, smooth, white cream texture that brightens the skin upon application.
Innisfree Intensive Long-lasting Sunscreen

Innisfree Intensive Long-lasting Sunscreen

10. Dabo White Sunblock Cream

Dabo is known as a Korean cosmetics brand for women, manufactured by Nexxen Corporation and quality-controlled by Samsung Group. Dabo’s products are made from natural essences, aiming to provide perfect beauty.

Key Features:

  • Provides superior protection for up to 8 hours.
  • Helps prevent skin darkening, aging, and sunburn.
  • Slightly opaque cream texture that absorbs quickly without stickiness.
Dabo White Sunblock Cream

Dabo White Sunblock Cream

11. A’Pieu Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream

A’pieu is an affordable cosmetics brand under the famous Korean Able Cosmetics Group. Targeting students, A’pieu’s products feature cute packaging, vibrant colors, and affordable prices to attract young people.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight, non-sticky texture suitable for all skin types.
  • Creates a matte finish and effectively covers pores.
  • Nourishes and soothes the skin.
A'Pieu Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream

A’Pieu Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream

12. JU:CY All In One Sunblock

JU:CY Cosmetics is a Korean cosmetics brand established in 2019. The brand offers safe, clearly sourced, and multi-functional products to save users time in their daily routine.

Key Features:

  • Effective sun protection for 8-10 hours.
  • Brightens and whitens skin.
  • Moisturizes and maintains skin hydration throughout the day.
  • Anti-aging properties prevent the formation of brown spots due to environmental damage.
  • Helps prevent acne.
JU:CY All In One Sunblock

JU:CY All In One Sunblock

13. Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun

Dr.G is a Korean skincare brand. (The previous description about JU:CY Cosmetics seems to be mistakenly repeated here.)

Key Features:

  • Protects against blue light from electronic devices.
  • Specifically designed for sensitive and easily irritated skin.
  • Absorbs quickly, spreads easily, and offers relatively good oil control.
  • Decent water resistance and doesn’t leave a white cast.
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun

Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun

14. Make P:rem UV Defense Me Calming Sun Cream

Make P:rem is a Korean domestic cosmetics brand with a European minimalist and practical aesthetic inspired by Northern Europe. Make P:rem offers high-quality products with rigorously selected ingredients for the best user experience.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable texture.
  • Suitable for all skin types.
  • Contains 200,000ppm bamboo water and birch extract to cool the skin and reduce skin temperature upon sun exposure.
  • Dermatologist-tested.
  • Can be removed with regular makeup remover.
Make P:rem UV Defense Me Calming Sun Cream

Make P:rem UV Defense Me Calming Sun Cream

15. Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream

Cosrx is a well-known Korean cosmetics brand specializing in skincare products that prioritize healthy skin over just beautiful skin. The Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is currently popular for its light moisturizing properties and optimal protection against environmental factors.

Key Features:

  • Aloe vera extract soothes irritation and evens out skin tone.
  • Convenient plastic tube packaging with a flip-top cap for easy dispensing and storage.
  • Creamy texture that’s not too runny or thick, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t feel heavy or sticky.
  • Good oil control, doesn’t enhance skin tone, leaves no white cast, and is suitable for all skin tones.
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream

Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream

How to Use Korean Sunscreen

  • Step 1: After your skincare routine, dispense an appropriate amount of sunscreen into your palm.
  • Step 2: Apply evenly to the face and neck. Gently massage until fully absorbed for optimal effectiveness. For spray sunscreens, simply spray an adequate amount onto the skin and massage gently for absorption.

Important Notes When Using Korean Sunscreen

  • Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going outside for optimal protection.
  • Reapply every 2 hours, especially during prolonged outdoor activities, swimming, or at the beach.
  • Cleanse your skin thoroughly with facial cleanser or makeup remover before applying sunscreen to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
  • Use sunscreen daily, before going outside, even on cloudy days, for the best protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going outside

Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going outside